Geologic TimeTutoring Session: Lesson 3

Lesson 3

Origin and Evolution of Life

Objectives for this lesson:

Scientists learn about Earth’s geological (the Earth itself) and biological (living things) history through evidence from rocks and fossils.

FOSSIL RECORD

A fossil record helps us to understand the past and why things are the way they are today.

Theory of evolution“Life on Earth did not always look the same as it does today. Life has evolved” (changed / altered). “Evolution explains how new species of organisms arise or how existing organisms adapt to new conditions over time.”

Dinosaur Modern day bird

Biological Evolution

“An adaptation refers to a characteristic of an organism that allows it to survive in a particular environment. “

When an adaptation (a change) makes an organism more likely to survive and reproduce, the organism may pass the new adaptation on to its offspring (babies); organisms with the new adaptation will produce more babies than organisms that don’t have the new adaptation. This process called: natural selection is why some organisms with certain adaptations survive and others do not, depending on Earth's changing conditions.

Chemical evolution:The idea that the appearance of living systems (stuff) on Earth came

from non-living molecules.

Fossil evolution

Phylogeny is studying how different organisms (plants/animals/etc.) are connected (related) through evolution (change over time).

We use something called a “cladogram” to show (in an image/diagram) how one organism is related to another one.

Living fossils: Creatures that are very similar to species that lived long ago (without much change) are called “living fossils”.

What to do for this lesson:You need to create a virtual tour of a fossil (or group of fossils).

You will supply evidence of biological evolution over time by providing details on the origin and development of a fossil.

You must show (for full credit): the fossil record (who is [was] it related to (if known) the biological evolution of your fossil/fossil group Where can we find your fossil(s) The known evolution of you fossil(s) - phylogeny Any known species adaptations Pictures! (it is a virtual “tour”)

How to start: Introduce the fossil (or group of fossils)

Create your tour

Be sure to include a minimum of 10 discussion points, or “stops,” on your tour.

1. A picture of your fossil and when it lived on the Earth (what geologic time period)

2. A picture of the Earth/World/USA and show where your fossil lived/roamed

3. A picture of the fossil when it was alive / and the fossil (as a fossil)

4. Picture (and text) that talk/show any adaptations that your species went through

5. The phylogeny of your fossil (what species they are related too) pictures if you get them!

6. A caldogram for your species